Mountain View Voice

Community briefs

As temperatures around the Bay Area start to cool and heaters are turned on, residents are being reminded to have working carbon monoxide alarms at home to prevent accidental gas poisonings.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced from heaters, fireplaces furnaces and many types of appliances and cooking devices.

Each year, 480 people in the U.S. are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, and as many as 20,000 are hospitalized, according the San Carlos Fire Department.

The best way for homeowners to stay protected from carbon monoxide is to have a CO2 alarm installed on every floor and outside each sleeping area, officials said.

As of July 1, 2011, California law requires owners of single-family homes with attached garages or fossil fuel sources for heating to install carbon monoxide alarms in the home.

More information on carbon monoxide can be found online at tinyurl.com/carbmono.

—Bay City News Service

Holiday train comes to town

The Caltrain "Show Train" will be returning to Bay Area stops on Dec. 1 and 2 to collect toys for underprivileged children.

The special train will be covered with over 60,000 lights and decorations and will depart at 4 p.m. from the San Francisco Caltrain Station.

It is scheduled to stop in Mountain View on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 6:55 p.m.

At each stop there will be free entertainment prior to the train's arrival. The full schedule can be found at www.caltrain.com/riderinfo/specialevents/holidaytrain.html.

The "Show Train" will make four stops each day.

During each stop, holiday music will be performed by the Salvation Army brass band and on-board carolers.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and other winter characters will walk around greeting children and posing for pictures with them. Members of the United States Marine Corps Reserve and representatives will collect new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to local children.